Crown Barangaroo opens to positive numbers
Crown’s $2 billion Barangaroo facility had its grand opening in the middle of an NSW COVID spike.
Despite this, management is pleased with patronage so far, particularly when taking into account that whilst the hotel, restaurants and bars have opened, the Casino doors remain shut.
Crown Sydney CEO Peter Crinis said that even though the new complex opened during a local outbreak, the amount of people visiting the hotel and nine of the 14 bars and restaurants was encouraging.
Even if the Barangaroo gaming area was permitted to open, the hotel and restaurants would still have to work harder than normal to combat travel restrictions and capacity due to social distancing requirements.
“Crown Sydney’s start-up occupancy in the Crown Towers hotel and all of the restaurants was encouraging, particularly over the New Year’s Eve period,” Crinis said.
“In the context of COVID-19 public health orders, we are very fortunate to be able to open and operate — albeit to a reduced capacity.”
Many NSW residents have chosen to stay at the hotel as domestic travel is proving to be tedious and more people are choosing a staycation in their own states.
“Most of our guests at Crown Sydney in the start-up phase have come from within NSW,” Mr Crinis said.
Irit Jackson, 11th January 2021
